Slaves of Buford Twyman

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Woodford, Kentucky, United States
Surnames/tags: Black Heritage Slavery

Documents related to persons enslaved by Buford Twyman and the Twyman family in Woodford County, Kentucky

Enslaved Persons

(a few named in the will of Buford Twyman, 1835):

• Maria
• Florida, daughter of Maria
• Henrietta, daughter of Maria
• Miranda
• Jerry

Probate

Buford Twyman's Will 21 February 1835, probated 4 May 1835 Woodford County, Kentucky. ^[1]:

"Being in a precarious state of health, and Knowing that the duration of normal life is uncertain and that all flesh shall surely die; I, Buford Twyman hoping, through mercy, to inherit eternal life, alone, for the righteousness sake of my Blessed Saviour, The Lord Jesus Christ: do make and ordain this my last will and Testament, revoking all others. First, I loan to my wife Mildred Twyman, during her natural life, or first widowhood the whole of my estate, real and personal, of which I may die possessed, with the provisions and exceptions, herein after made, to be managed as she may think best, in order to the accomplishment of the payment of my just Debts, educate my four sons, herein after named, and partially distribute to them as she can conveniently spare, or they in her judgement need: always, being required, to Keep a fair and correct memorandum, of what she may advance to each or either of them, with its estimated value, with a view to their being made equal at her death. Second. Having advanced to my daughter George Ann Redd, since her marriage, to the amount of something more than one thousand Dollars, part of which is a negro woman, named Maria and her two female children, Florida and Henrietta and a girl named Miranda about Seven years of age, I do hereby will and bequeath to her in addition thereto, a negro man by name Jerry, also, a negro woman, to be selected by my wife Mildred, the possession and use of Jerry and the last named woman, to be retained by my wife Mildred as long as she may choose, and only to be surrendered at her option. I also will and bequeath to said daughter, one thousand Dollars, that will be due from Joel Twyman to me on the first day of Aprile 1837 to be used and applied in the following manner First, The thousand Dollars to be loaned to Some Solvent individual or company upon good and sufficient security at the rate of Six per cent per annum; and paid over to and for the use and benefit, of said Daughter in the following manner: One hundred Dollars, at the end of each year from the time of its being loaned out 'til principle and interest, shall be consumed: which will be sixty Dollars the legal interest, and forty Dollars, of the principle abstracted from the $1000. for the first year, and so on. and I wish those annual payments of the Interest and a sufficient sum of the principle abstracted yearly to amount to the sum of One hundred Dollars, to be paid over to her my said daughter George Ann Redd, untill the $1000 is expended, and used for her use, and benefit which will take the space of about sixteen years. This my wish and desire that the above named slaves, and their increase, and the unexpended ballance, of the thousand Dollars, should revert back to my Surviving Heirs and Representatives, if said daughter should die, without lawful issue from her body.... Third My will and desire is that to each of my sons Thornell W. Twyman Wm Wirt Twyman Joel Wayne Twyman and Broaddus Wickliffe Twyman, there shall severally be given one equal fourth part of the ballance of my Estate, in such manner, and at such times, as my wife, Mildred Twyman shall think best, as discribed in Item first.... Fifth. My Will and desire is, that at my death, there shall be no Inventory and appraisement of my Estate made, but upon the death or Marriage of my wife I wish it done, in accordance with the laws of our Country. Sixth My will and desire is that untill the death or marriage of my wife Mildred Twyman, she shall be, and I do hereby constitute and appoint her my sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. Seventh.... Acknowledged and Signed February 21st 1835 in the presence of Sam Berry John P. Craig Saml. Craig

From Order Book F: "At a County Court began and held for the County of Woodford on the 4th day of May 1835. Present, Barnett Gittner } Southy Whittington } Gentlemen Justices William Woodridge }

"An Instrument of Writeing purporting to be the last will and testament of Buford Twyman decd. was this day produced in Court, and proven by the oaths of Saml Berry and Samuel Craig two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to record-- whereupon Mildred Twyman the executrix therein named came into Court and took the oath prescribed by law and executed Bond with Joel Twyman George Twyman Jr and Simeon Twyman her security in the penalty of forty thousand Dollars conditioned according to law. Letters Testamentary are granted her""

Sources

1. ↑ Will and probate order recorded in: Will Book K (1834-1838), Woodford, Kentucky County Court. Microfilm version at Family History Library, microfilm DGS #7553101. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89DL-N9W9-P?i=597&cc=1875188&cat=423162